Epeaking ahead of the game, on Gomez, Klopp said: “Yes, he’s in good shape, so maybe. First game at Anfield for a long time, eh? Maybe it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if he was in the line-up if nothing else.

JOE GOMEZ FACTFILE

DOB: May 23 1997

Place of birth: Catford, London

Position: Defender

Club: Liverpool

Former club: Charlton

International caps: England U16s (2), U17s (19), U19s (4), U21s (3)

Honours: European U17 Championship winner 2014, Charlton Athletic Young Player of the Season 2014/15

“Next step, a long way to go. He’s already had a long way and it will still be but it’s what we said when we didn’t really have an idea to send him on loan to another club.

“It’s nice for all of us, a wonderful boy and we are really happy for him that he’s fit now.

“Of course he had a few games with the second team and he’s very self-critical because he was not always at his absolute best but that’s normal after a long period of injury and not playing football.

“He’s on a good way, training looks really good, so it’s the logical next step.”

Philippe Coutinho, Joel Matip, James Milner and Jordan Henderson are all out through injury while Daniel Sturridge is only on the bench, along with big guns Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Georgionio Wijnaldum.